Darren Waller comes out of retirement to join the Miami Dolphins
Tight end Darren Waller has decided to come out of retirement and will join the Miami Dolphins, according to his agents. The Dolphins will finalize a trade with the New York Giants, the team that held Waller’s rights, sending a sixth-round pick in the 2026 draft in exchange for the player and a conditional seventh-round pick in 2027. Waller, 32, was one of the league’s best tight ends in 2019 and 2020, accumulating 197 receptions, 2,341 yards, and 12 touchdowns with the Las Vegas Raiders. This earned him a three-year, $51 million contract extension in 2022. However, he was traded to the Giants the following year, and announced his retirement after a single season in New York.This is the second major transaction in consecutive days for Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, who on Monday sent three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Waller’s arrival covers the need left by Smith as the main receiver in the tight end position, although it carries certain risks. Waller announced his retirement last June, mentioning that a health problem in November 2023 gave him clarity about his life. In a video posted on YouTube, Waller described a “very frightening situation” in which he had difficulty breathing and spent 3 and a half days in the hospital without being able to stand up, go to the bathroom, or feed himself. Waller did not reveal the exact nature of the illness he suffered. Waller has spoken openly about his problems with addiction, his sobriety, and how rehabilitation after an overdose in 2017 helped him change his life. He has committed to using his story to help others. Waller recorded 940 yards in the two seasons following the signing of his extension and missed 21 games in the last three seasons. He is familiar with the Dolphins’ offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, who coached the Raiders’ tight ends from 2018 to 2020, Waller’s best years in the NFL.I miss football
Source close to Waller
